Sheriff's Office asks supervisors to use $103,200 in savings for one-time 5% hardship supplement

Chief Deputy Allen Garland told the Northumberland County Board of Supervisors on May 12 that the Sheriff's Office expects roughly $118,000 in salary and part-time savings and is requesting to use $103,199.86 of that amount to provide all full-time employees a one-time 5% hardship supplement before the end of FY26.

Garland said the office also has about $54,000 remaining in its hospitalization line because of low staff levels and that a 2% state compensation board bonus due June 1, 2026 could offset an estimated $20,000 of the cost. "This supplement would go to those individuals who stayed with the office and worked hard to fill the gaps left by those who did vacate," Garland said.

Supervisor Keith Harris asked how many employees the supplement would cover; Garland said it would be "around 40" full-time employees. Vice Chairman Chip Williams questioned why a percentage-based supplement was proposed rather than a flat bonus and asked Garland to consider how the Board would justify the payment to school employees. Garland responded that the proposal is a one-time supplement, not a salary increase, and that school employees have other bonus opportunities.

Garland also told the Board the Sheriff's Office has returned an average of $37,400 to the county over the past four years and said the department has identified revenue-producing measures. He said, however, that the request is not for new funding but reallocation of projected year-end savings instead of equipment purchases.

The Board did not record a formal vote on the hardship supplement request during the May 12 session. The supervisors scheduled a follow-up budget work session on May 19, 2026, when departments will present budgets and the item could be revisited.